The M1 was and still is a popular and widely used digital synthesizer and music workstation. The M1 features built-in AI Synthesis for full digital generation and processing using 4MB of PCM sampled and synthesized waveforms which can be shaped using analog-style editing. The M1 is capable of creating acoustic instruments with clarity, nice digital sounds and good buzzy techno sounds. The M1 is sort of like a workstation-version of the Roland D-50.

In addition to its acclaimed sound, it has a somewhat sophisticated 8-track sequencer. It holds 10 songs and 100 patterns and up to 7,700 notes, and offers full quantizing and editing. Full MIDI implementation suites the M1 ideally for studio production and MIDI system use. Up to 8 parts of multitimbrality with the 8 track sequencer makes for a powerful machine. Add to that a host of digital multi-effects and you've got one of the most widely and professionally used Korg synthesizers around.

UPGRADES: The EXK-M1 optional ROM expansion kit doubles the PCM waveform memory to 8MB (275 multisampled sounds) for even greater sonic possibilities. The EX-M1R is the same upgrade but designed for the M1R (rack version). That's right, there's a rack version of the M1 available as the M1R as well.

The M1 has been used by 808 State, Banco De Gaia, Ken Ishii, Depeche Mode, Fluke, The Cure, The Orb, The KLF, Plastikman, Bomb The Bass, Gary Numan, Robert Miles, Mike Oldfield, Kitaro, Rick Wakeman, Rod Argent, Joe Zawinul, Patrick Moraz, Pet Shop Boys, Vangelis, the Cranberries, Sin and Jellyfish.

David S

October 11, 2012 @ 10:54 pm

I'll never forget my first year of college, Alex at Northern Music in Potsdam, NY let me take home the M1 for a few days and play with it. I had a coffeehouse gig that night with my roommate, Lachlan, and we used it for the gig instead of my Kawai K1. What an amazing upgrade! I stayed up really late for a couple nights creating some cool sequences that I still have on cassette tape to this very day (labelled "M1 Songs"). I never did buy the M1, but later on I picked up an 03R/W from the same music store, among other toys over time.
That was the first time I was truly amazed by a synth!!

Lewis Nowosad

September 29, 2012 @ 8:13 pm

I own one of these things and need to now if there is a way to step up the octaves?

stu

September 13, 2012 @ 1:43 pm

Can anyone suggest a good patch for a solo synth sound in combi mode on the korg M1 similar to the synth solo in I Want To Break Free by Queen. I'm struggling to get a nice sawtooth sound I can use for soloing

Rick

September 11, 2012 @ 7:03 pm

The M1 has horrible piano sounds that interestingly enough became widely used for their ability to cut through a mix. I never enjoyed its organs, Ep or piano sounds. Nice strings and guitars though plus real drum samples. I bought the T3 and sold it after a few months and bought a D50 for brass And organs and a DX7IIFD for EP

elroy weebler

September 8, 2012 @ 5:51 am

i haven't yet succumbed to the temptation of the $49 plugin version of the M1 complete with every single PCM card; so far my real one keeps me very happy. isn't it funny how everyone knows this synth and holds it in high regard even today, but only old timers remember the roland d50? it's the sound that says it all; the M1 is warm and happy, the d-50 is (unusually for roland) very chilly and grainy. i had them both at one time. guess which one i sold. the one i ended up keeping, safe to say, is my desert island synth. the M1 is not only the voice of my childhood, but of my entire generation's.

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